The guy-to-girl ratio during the press days at the 2003 New York International Auto Show was pretty pathetic. If you took out the cuties from the PR firms, it would've barely notched above a Pet Shop Boys concert. Hopefully next year, they'll take some tips from the guys at Import Showoff and hire a Miss New York Auto Show or move the whole deal to Ibiza, or something. Anything. Please.
Acura Concept TL
According to Acura, the Concept TL is pretty much what we can expect the next TL to look like when it comes out later this year. That's good news. Unfortunately, there was no engine inside the concept car, so that's still up in the air. What's interesting is the fact that Brembos are on all four wheels. Is this a sign? Start the rumor mill. Release date: Fall 2003.
Mazda MX Sportif
Mazda calls the MX Sportif a production-ready concept car. We call it the next MX-3, maybe. With a 150hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, some might call it a strong rival to the Civic Si. And remember what Mazdaspeed did to the Proteg? Still, we will have to wait. Mazda hasn't set a release date and it'll probably hit Europe first. Release date: Maybe in 2005.
Mini John Cooper Works S
Who's John Cooper? Well, he was a pioneer in Formula 1 race car engineering and one of the swankiest Brits of all time (so we're told). The John Cooper Works Mini package for the Cooper S is a full supercharger option (including exhaust and computer tuning) that adds another 40 hp to the original S.Release date: Out now.
Saab 9-2
Yes, this is a Saab in Super Street magazine. You see, Saab is owned by GM, and GM also has a stake in Fuji Heavy Industries, which owns Subaru. The upcoming Saab 9-2 will be an all-wheel-drive four-door hatchback with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. You do the math, because we can't. Release date: Spring 2004.
Mitsubishi Tarmac Spyder
Although it may not look like it, the Tarmac Spyder is actually a Lancer Evolution VIII platform with some funky skin. It's got all the turbocharged and electronic goodness that we've come to love in the Evo and all the styling that's missing from it. There's really no chance of this (or anything remotely like it) reaching the showroom anytime soon. Release date: In your dreams.